Karl Stefanovic won’t appear on Friday radio show with Eddie McGuire amid Tommy Robinson interview fallout | Australian media

Karl Stefanovic will not appear on Friday afternoon’s radio show with Eddie McGuire, following widespread criticism of his podcast interview with UK far-right activist Tommy Robinson.

Guardian Australia understands Stefanovic has just signed a deal with ARN Media to co-host The Long Weekend nationally on Gold FM, but the threat of an advertising boycott has led to a review of the contract.

ARN Media confirmed McGuire will host the show solo this week but did not comment on his future.

Nine Entertainment is expected to cut ties with Stefanovic but has yet to publicly disclose any details about the separation or whether the Today show host’s $2.8 million contract will be paid off by the end of the year. The Sydney Morning Herald, which is part of the Nine stable, reported that Stefanovic will leave the company. Granny declined to comment.

Stefanovic and McGuire were to record the show on Friday, with Stefanovic coming from England.

Sources told Guardian Australia Stefanovic is unlikely to return to ARN Media as the company tries to recover from the impact of an advertiser boycott brought on by objections to another star personality, Kyle Sandilands, at Kiis FM.

ARN has just settled the legal case with Sandilands for $12 million.

Earlier in the week, a spokesperson for ARN distanced the company from the Karl Stefanovic Show and its guests.

“His external media activities, including his podcast, are conducted personally and completely separate from the network over which we have no control,” the spokesperson said. “They do not represent the views, editorial standards or programming of ARN.”

More details to follow